The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-01-13
Religion in War Times.

Religion in War Times.
At the banquet given Saturday night
in honor of Judges Key and Trewhitt,
Col. Lewis Shepherd made a request
seconded by all of the gentlemen present,
that Mr.. Templeton, Of the Knoxville
bar, who was present, an incident which
occurred during the war in north Geor.
gia. Mr.. Templeton kindly consented,
and related the following in most effec.
tive and touching manner, elicting the
most generous applause at his conclus.
ion:
"My faiber," said Dir. Templeton,
"resides in Chattanooga, but about the
time that Sherman made his way into
the South he refugeed in Georgia, and
stopped in Gordon. He was preacher,
and wherever he went be always preached
whenever an opportunity afforded.
"About the time that Sherman was
driving Johnston toward Atlanta, some
time in the early part of August, 1864,
my father was conducting a revival at a
little house called Pine Greek church,
about ten miles from Calhoun. The
times were most terrible about then !;
murder, robbery aud rapine were of dai-
ly occurrence, and the whole country was
subject to visitations by marauding par
ties from both armies. One day the old
gentleman was preaching a sermon of
unusual power, and before he had cotton
we'll under way gang Of Confederate
soldiers rode up and, dismounting out
back Of the church, asked if they might
be admitted 10 the church. OF course
they we're cordially invited in, and took
prominent seats in the church.
"Not long afterward cloud of dust
was seen in the road from the opposite
direction to what the Confederates had
come. and pretty soon the tramp of hor.
ses' hoofs was heard, and it was soon
discovered that it was squad of Federal
troops, and before the Confederates in
the church could be apprised of the
approach they had ridden up to the
door. Perceiving that religious services
were being held, they alighted and asked
to be admitted. They we're then told that
there were Confederate soldiers in the
church, but insisted on going in and they
were admitted likewise.
Naturally the strange spectacle Great
ed some CONSERVATION in the congrega-
ton, and for a time it seemed as if the
confusion would break up the meeting.
But my father raised his voice and began
most fervently to plead better life,
beseeching his soldier hearers to become
religious and abandon their sins. He
preached with unusual force and power,
the strange scene lending him inspiration.
Strong men were stirred to the depths
and wept like children, and the scene Of
confusion was soon changed to one Of
strong religious awakening.
"When he had concluded his sermon,
as was the custom in tbo:e days, he invi.
ted those who were convicted to come
forward to the mourners' bench and pray
and talk with him on the all important
subject.
"Then it was that one of the grandest
sights ever witnessed occurred. Those
soldiers, enemies to each other, engaged
in bloody war, arose as one man, friend
and foe together, and marched to the front
of the church and kneeled together,
Confederate by Federal, their musketa
joining and crossing each other; their
revolvers touching each other as they
kneeled; their heads bowed upon the
same altar and there mingling almost in
their deep contrition and profound feeling.
All animo.ities were forgotten, all strife
forgotleu-they were together as brothers
around common altar
"After the service they met on the
outside of tie church ; they shook hands,
pledged fraternity, and each party went
off, taking opposite directions. They had
been looking for each other perhaps with
murderous intent. They found each
other, but they separated with love in
stead of hate friendly instead Of angry"
The recital of the story was listened to
with marked attention and interest,
every one being deeply impressed with
the beautiful incident, which is true in
every Observation-Disclosures Times.